Dirty Projectors
Swing Lo Magellan
(Domino Recording Co.)

The Dirty Projectors’ latest release, Swing Lo Magellan, takes this indie ensemble and their fans back to a simpler time of music.

I love “Irresponsible Tune.” Slow, melodic and old-school, the track sounds like an oldies ballad by Elvis or greater – not by the Dirty Projectors. “Dance For You” is a folksy track, hobbling around over hand claps to a chorus with a reggae kind of vibe. The track is fun and feels a bit like a track by Surfer Blood. “Maybe That Was It” starts out loud, crashing and a bit violent. You’d expect that kind of opening to a local prom event. However, the track immediately switches 30 seconds in before coming right by to a lo-fi indie track. Hello – magical! This track alone should put the band on many Best of 2012 lists come the end of December. “About To Die” is also insane. Reggae, drum and bass, and pure pop, the track would fit in on any Cut Copy album.

This is definitely an Album of the Year contender once you give it a chance. The album jumps around a little bit in terms of genre but that’s a lot of what helps to make it beautiful.